The vote that doesn’t count

Uncategorized    Friday, July 8, 2016

Same sex marriage plebiscite far from a sure thing … Brandis’ proposal for compulsory voting hits a constitutional impediment … Parliamentary vote the only way to resolve the issue  

 

Wolf Watch

Uncategorized    Wednesday, July 6, 2016

Big changes in Waterstreet World … Helping women barristers hits an ideological wall … Soapy expected to stay on his soapbox 

 


Bill me, thrill me

Uncategorized    Friday, June 24, 2016

Another chapter in the colourful life and times of Sydney solicitor Leigh Johnson … NSWCA knocks out her fees of $2 million plus … Working for more than 24 hours a day … Australian Institute of Music … A “most unusual” bill of costs … Estoppel, with “extremely unusual” facts … Hannah Ryan reports 

 

A monstrous monstrosity

Uncategorized    Friday, June 24, 2016

Deliriums on the Derwent … Fear and loathing at the Taswegian bar n’ grill … Terrifying missives … Unauthorised threats … Dealing with a “hive of Sydney insects” … The Map all shook-up 

 

The waiver than never was

Uncategorized    Friday, June 10, 2016

Lawrie v Lawler … Case that has riven the Top End legal community … Foreign judges brought in for appeal that basically clears the former president of the NT bar of misconduct findings … Commission of inquiry set up by political opponents of former minister … Full examination of the judgment from Hannah Ryan 

 

Brandis neuters the Solicitor General

Uncategorized    Friday, June 10, 2016

Attorney General Brandis asserts political influence over Solicitor General Justin Gleeson … Government access to the Solicitor General to be controlled by AG … More outsourcing of constitutional advise to the private bar … Ideological agenda at play  COMMENT: EMAIL: URL: The AG and the SG, by George …

Justin Gleeson he opines, but his opines don’t quite suit mine
His independence? Unimpeded! It’s just his view that is not needed
I’m the Attorney. I’ll decide, whose opines to over-ride
My position? Much more deserving. I’m his master, it’s me he’s serving

Make no mistake, I am in charge. Advice from Justin? No, not at large
Through my gate you must first pass, and I’ll determine who can ask
I’ll outsource questions to my mates, to get the answer my view mandates
Don’t give me grief about this matter, I work much better without the chatter

Separation of powers, just what is that? If that’s a concept, it’s old hat
Circumvention? That’s not my word. Beyond my powers? That’s absurd
Let’s just get the view we need, the view want just to succeed
Statutory independence? It just impedes my own ascendance

 

Tales from a small triangular island

Uncategorized    Tuesday, June 7, 2016

The Murray Scheme … Trust account interest for unemployed lawyers … Cocktails on the pier … Judge’s gastronomic experiences in Manchester … Notes from The Map